Good morning!
This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we try to get together every Saturday morning around eleven, and then drift in and out throughout the day. We hope this group serves to reinvigorate us locally and regionally here on Daily Kos, building on the sense of community that's grown through our online engagement. DKos Asheville can give us all a better sense of connection, a better understanding of who these people are that we stand with, work with, and share with in the political process. We hope, through this community, that we can do a better job of leveraging our orange passion for progressive politics to help elect more and better Democrats.
If you would like to host a weekly open thread, please let us know.
Randall and I met this week for lunch and discussed our idea for taking on voter registration as a project for DKos Asheville. Here is his report on our meeting ...
Good day all. David and I met and had a delightful lunch this week while talking about the early stages of an idea that we are hoping will generate some excitement here at DKos Asheville and beyond. The idea is simple and the logistics don't sound too complicated. Members of the DKos Asheville community will start spending Sunday afternoons working at a familiar place to register voters. Following are some talking points for discussion.
LOCATION
Set up at the same location every week during the same time frame to increase foot traffic recognition of our efforts. If people see us there week after week we should increase the chances that word of mouth can bring us people who need to register. Our original thinking was to set up outside a progressive leaning establishment like a natural food store. Our first choice was Earthfare at Westgate. We have applied for a "vendors permit" there but have not heard back yet. If that doesn't work out, we will try another location, suggestions and connections are welcome.
TIME
So far we are thinking 1:00-5:00 pm every Sunday. It's a busy time for stores but there is also more of a relaxed atmosphere it seems. Sunday may also be less challenging for volunteers.
GOALS
1. Register new voters or voters who have recently moved to the county.
2. Provide acurate information on the new voting regulations for North Carolina.
3. Provide guidelines on acquiring proper ID before an election
LOGISTICS
Pick up voter registration forms from the Board of Elections. Familiarize ourselves with the requirements for actually registering voters (there are handy guidelines). Acquire information on the new laws and ID requirements. Find handouts from a source for these to reduce or eliminate costs. Make signs to reflect what we are doing. Bring a card table and some chairs and get started. GET STARTED!
VOLUNTEERS
Please let us know if you can help with this DKos Asheville project. Think of it as a "mini - meet up" on Sundays!